Highlights:Release is set for Fall 2013Price: $49.99 (a bit lower than I expected, thankfully)

“As for the gun [sic] itself, we’ll be blunt: this thing is freaking huge. It spans 40.7 inches from nose to heel, and at least 2/3 of that length is barrel. As with any gun, the longer the barrel, the straighter – and hopefully the farther – shots will soar.”

“To get the velocity necessary (nearly 55 mph) to catapult ammo one-third of a football field, the designers had to supersize the typical Nerf launch mechanism. With a dart-filled magazine in place, you pull back on a loading handle to allow the top dart to pop into the firing chamber. Pushing the same handle forward sets the firing mechanism in place, and pulling the trigger releases a spring-loaded piston that launches the dart.”

“The Centurion is the first in a new line of Nerf guns that use MEGA darts. The darts are about twice the size of typical Nerf darts, which engineers say helps them get the momentum they need to fly further. The also whistle, an oddly satisfying addition to long-range shootouts.”

So we can expect more Mega blasters down the road. This all still begs the questions-

– Extra mags/mission kits will be sold when?– I think we can assume there will be some kind of “value” pack that comes out after the inital release (happens during the holidays especially – Double Discs/Darts, blaster packs, etc.)– The cradle… and maybe we’ll get a proper scope?– Ranges are reported to hit 100′. Is this with the 35 degrees that has been used in the past as the angle for max range claims? (see here) – most likely yes– Bipod better be robust– DAT DRAW PULL. HOLY CRAP.

Not gonna lie though… Yet Another Ammo Type? Just when things calmed down from Sonics/Micros/Streamlines/Taggers/Discs now Megas are in the mix. While Sonics and Micros aren’t as prevalent in stores, they are still in circulation and part of many a community dart stash. So here we go again with one more “caliber” of sorts to sort through when cleaning up.

But don’t get me wrong! I’m excited to see range and mega darts again, for sure. Will this change Nerf games? How? And it is the shot in the arm in range and performance that Nerf could use? We’ll see once it hits shelves in the Fall. And yes, I plan to figure out how to dual-wield these, too.